Two years ago, Dixie Regional Medical Center observed this growing trend and created a birthing center, known as Simply Birth that is designed for a more homelike natural birth experience within the safety net of the hospital.

“These birthing suites have been very popular,” said Cathy Eldridge, a registered nurse and who is certified in childbirth education and Hypnobirthing. Hypnobirthing guides and prepares a woman in giving birth in a peaceful, beautiful manner. It considers the psychological, as well as physical, well-being of the mother, her birth partner, and the newborn.

“Simply Birth provides a lower-cost, low-intervention birth experience within the security of the hospital,” Eldridge said. “More than 80 percent of the women who plan for it, successfully complete an unmedicated delivery.”

Eldridge, who is Dixie’s prenatal education coordinator, explained that expectant women who are interested in this low-intervention childbirth option should talk with their OB provider. Women are carefully screened for a low-risk delivery. This ensures the best possible outcomes for both mothers and newborns. Several other low-intervention childbirth options are also available to women who are not candidates for the Simply Birth experience.

Simply Birth applicants are required to attend one or two prenatal education classes before giving birth. The classes teach techniques for natural, un-medicated childbirth as well as discharge directives for caring for a newborn.

“I was excited to learn about this birthing center,” said Jessica Gish, who recently gave birth in a Simply Birth suite. “My husband and I toured the center while we were expecting our second child. It was there that we learned about the HypnoBirth method and we were very interested in that kind of experience. We applied to the birth center and learned that we could take the classes for free. We learned so much.”

HypnoBirth emphasizes low-intervention childbirth through profound relaxation as a means to cope with the pain and fear of labor. When a woman’s body and mind are relaxed, her labor is often faster and easier. The well-appointed Simply Birth suites were designed to create a relaxing environment.

“The room was beautiful like a hotel suite,” Gish said. “The bed was a regular queen-size bed with a nice comforter and pillows. There were large windows to let in sunlight. I especially enjoyed the big bathtub that filled-up really fast. Everything was so nice.”

According to Eldridge in every birth experience Dixie Regional encourages spontaneous labor, ‘rooming-in,’ skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible, and delayed cord clamping. All of these things are also highly encouraged as part of the Simply Birth experience.

In the Simply Birth center, women may choose their own provider (with hospital privileges) to assist. Women are also encouraged to bring a support person such as a husband, family member, lay midwife, or doula to help with labor. Gish reported that she was grateful for the opportunity to labor alone with her husband. A nurse came in periodically to check the baby’s heartbeat between contractions and to monitor the progression of labor.

“The Simply Birth center is a philosophy as much as it is a location,” Eldridge said. “Women will carry their birth experience memories forever. The Simply Birth center wants to help create good memories.”

Gish agreed.

“Giving birth in the birthing center was a peaceful, tranquil experience for me. It felt good to be fully in control of my body and to be able to give birth naturally," she said. "I am grateful and happy that we were also in the hospital. My daughter, Gwen, presented with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. Overall it was a great experience and I will probably do it again in the future.”